2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER flat tire

544 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER_U
■Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire inflation pressure every two weeks, or at least
once a month.
Do not forget to check the spare.
■Inspection and adjustment procedure
Tire valve
Tire pressure gauge
Remove the tire valve cap.
Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge onto the tire valve.
Read the pressure using the gauge gradations.
If the tire inflation pressure is not at the recommended
level, adjust the pressure.
If you add too much air, pres s the center of the valve to
deflate.
After completing the tire inflation pressure measurement
and adjustment, apply soapy water to the valve and check
for leakage.
Put the tire valve cap back on.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6

545
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
4RUNNER_U
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect ti
re inflation pressure ma y result in the following:
●Reduced fuel efficiency
●Reduced driving comfort and tire life
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent inflating, have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
●Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or has not been
driven for more than 1 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an accurate cold
tire inflation pressure reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of the tire can be mi sleading. In addition, tire infla-
tion pressure that is even just a few pounds off can affect ride quality
and handling.
●Do not reduce tire inflation pressure after driving. It is normal for tire
inflation pressure to be higher after driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle
is balanced.

546 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER_U
CAUTION
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated. Otherwise, the following conditions
may occur and result in an accident causing death or serious injury:
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resu lting from overheated tires
●Poor sealing of the tire bead
●Wheel deformation and/or tire separation
●A greater possibility of tire damage from road hazards
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjusting tire inflation pressure
Be sure to put the tire valve caps back on.
Without the valve caps, dirt or mo isture could get into the valve and
cause air leakage, which could result in an accident. If the caps are lost,
replace them as soon as possible.

548 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4RUNNER_U
■When replacing wheels
The wheels of your vehicle are equipped with tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters that allow the tire pressure warning system to provide
advanced warning in the event of a loss in tire inflation pressure. Whenever
wheels are replaced, the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters must
be installed. ( P. 538)
CAUTION
■When replacing wheels
● Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in the
Owner’s Manual, as this may result in a loss of handling control.
● Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed for a tube-
less tire. Doing so may result in an accident, causing death or serious
injury.
■ When installing the wheel nuts
●
Never use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
Oil and grease may cause the wheel nuts to be excessively tightened,
leading to bolt or disc wheel damage. In addition, the oil or grease can
cause the wheel nuts to loosen and the wheel may fall off, causing an
accident and resulting in death or serious injury. Remove any oil or
grease from the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
●Be sure to install the wheel nuts with
the tapered end faci ng inward. Install-
ing the nuts with the tapered end fac-
ing outward can cause wheel to
break and eventually cause a wheel
to come off while driving, which could
lead to an accident resulting in death
or serious injury.
CTH43AS138
Ta p e r e d
portion

When trouble arises5
577
4RUNNER_U
5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers ......... 578
If your vehicle needs to be towed ........................ 579
If you think something is wrong ............................. 585
Fuel pump shut off system ........................... 586
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ........................... 587
If you have a flat tire......... 603
If the engine will not start ................................ 616
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ............ 618
If you lose your keys ........ 619
If you cannot operate back door opener ........... 620
If the electronic key does not operate properly....... 621
If the vehicle battery is discharged ..................... 623
If your vehicle overheats ....................... 627
If the vehicle becomes stuck .............................. 630
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ..................... 631

5
When trouble arises
585
5-1. Essential information
4RUNNER_U
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
■ Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air cond itioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature g auge needle continually points
higher than normal
● Voltmeter (if equipped) continua lly points higher or lower than
normal
■ Audible symptoms
●Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■ Operational symptoms
●Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, s pongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor

592 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER_U
Tire pressure warning
light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure
such as
• Natural causes (P. 598)
• Flat tire ( P. 603) Adjust the tire inflation
pressure (including the
spare tire) to the specified
level.
The light will turn off after
a few minutes. In case
the light does not turn off
even if the tire inflation
pressure is adjusted,
have the system checked
by your Toyota dealer.
When the light comes on
after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire
pressure warning system
(  P. 599) Have the system checked
by your Toyota dealer.
(Comes on)Automatic transmission
fluid temperature warning
light
Indicates that the auto-
matic transmission fluid
temperature is too high Stop the vehicle in a safe
place and shift the shift
lever to P.
If the light does not go off,
contact your Toyota dealer.
(Canada) Low windshield washer
fluid warning light
Low level of washer fluid Fill the tank.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

598 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4RUNNER_U
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such
as natural air leaks and tire inflation pressure changes caused by tem-
perature. In this case, adjusting the tire inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
The spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will not turn
off even though the flat tire has been replaced with the spare tire.
Replace the spare tire with the repaired tire and adjust the tire inflation
pressure. The tire pressure warning light will go off after a few minutes.